List of World Heritage Sites in Bhutan

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.^[1] Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation, or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage.^[2] The Kingdom of Bhutan accepted the convention on 22 October 2001. There are no World Heritage Sites in the country, but there are eight on the tentative list. It has not served any terms on the Heritage Committee.^[3]

Location of World Heritage Sites in Bhutan

World Heritage Sites

UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural.^[4] Bhutan does not have any properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. ^[3]

  † In danger

Tentative list

In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the tentative list.^[5] In 2012, Bhutan formally listed its tentative sites to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. It was the first time Bhutan listed its sites to the organization for future inclusion. Eight sites were listed throughout the country.^[6]

Tentative sites

Site	Image	Location (district)	Year listed	UNESCO criteria	Description
Ancient Ruin of Drukgyel Dzong		Paro District	Cultural	2012	The site includes the ruins of a fortress-Buddhist monastery built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649. In 2016, the Bhutanese government announced that the monastery will be rebuilt to its former glory.[7][8]
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary		Trashiyangtse District	Cultural	2012	The site is an important bird area in the Himalayas.[9]
Dzongs: the centre of temporal and religious authorities (Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong and Dagana Dzong)		Multiple	Cultural	2012	The site includes five dzongs significant to Bhutanese history, namely, Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong and Dagana Dzong.[10]
Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP)		Multiple districts	Natural	2012	The site is the second largest national park in Bhutan.[11]
Royal Manas National Park (RMNP)		Multiple districts	Natural	2012	The site is the oldest national park in Bhutan.[12]
Sacred Sites associated with Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and his descendants		Multiple	Cultural	2012	The site includes Tsedong Phug, Gawa Phug, Langthang Phug, Sengye Phug, Gom Drak, Thukje Drak, Tsechu Drak, Dechen Drak, Taktsang Sengye Samdrub Dzong, Tago Choying Dzong, Lingzhi Jagoe Dzong and Yangtse Thubo Dzong.[13]
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS)		Multiple districts	Cultural	2012	The site was established to protect a mythical race known as migoi, as well as the wildlife within the site.[14]
Tamzhing Monastery		Bumthang District	Cultural	2012	The site is the most important Nyingma gompa in Bhutan.[15]

See also

• List of World Heritage Sites in Asia

Explanatory notes